Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, center, has his shot blocked by Houston Rockets forwards Montrezl Harrell, left, and Corey Brewer in the second half of an NBA basketball game late Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Denver. The Rockets won 128-110. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) less

Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, center, has his shot blocked by Houston Rockets forwards Montrezl Harrell, left, and Corey Brewer in the second half of an NBA basketball game late Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, ... more

David West (3) reacts toward Patrick McCaw (0) after Montrezl Harrell (5) got through their defense to dunk during the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, December 1, 2016. less

David West (3) reacts toward Patrick McCaw (0) after Montrezl Harrell (5) got through their defense to dunk during the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena in ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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Kevin Durant (35) puts in a shot defended by Montrezl Harrell (5) during the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, December 1, 2016.

Kevin Durant (35) puts in a shot defended by Montrezl Harrell (5) during the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, December 1, 2016.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Rockets' Forward Montrezl Harrell brings high energy to rotation

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Forward Montrezl Harrell has emerged an energetic rotation player during the Houston Rockets' seven-game win-streak. Prior, his line on the box score most often read: "Did Not Play."

His rookie year vacillated between absences and big stretches on the court. This season, after sitting in nine of the first 17 games, he has played eight consecutive games, contributing meaningfully in five of them. He has nearly doubled his game averages in his second season: 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 blocks.

He offers a burst of athleticism and quality rebounds.

"He's a mean animal, too," center Nenê said.

Nenê likened Harrell to Donnell Harvey, an aggressive 6-foot-8-inch forward, who Nenê played with on the Denver Nuggets in the early-2000s.

"I'm happy to see our young guys developing," Nenê said.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni typically prefers to rely on eight or nine players in his rotation, but has extended that to 10 with Harrell.

"Just to reward him a little bit," D'Antoni said. "If guys are going to contribute, you're going to go to 10. You don't want to go more than 10."

D'Antoni changes up the style of certain lineups with Harrell, who bangs and pounces down low more than Nenê and center Clint Capela.